Harry Potter H&Hr Fluff Collection

XVI

Sharing Thoughts

Harry found it strange to travel in the Hogwarts Express alone. He looked out the window watching mountains, trees and life pass by thinking deeply. Harry hasn't seen the Weasleys back at Platform nine and three quarters and before he could double check the area for them, the conductor called everyone to board since the train is already leaving. Harry expected to meet Ron and Hermione meeting him in the train later.

“Where are they?” Harry wondered standing up and sticking his head out of the compartment door. Looking left and right, Harry saw nothing except a couple of second years exiting a compartment at the end of the hallway. With a sigh, Harry sat on his seat and watched the clouds out the window.

Half an hour passed and no sign of Ron or Hermione. The lady with the snack cart came by and he bought a lot of snacks for the whole trip. It felt weird that he had no one to share it with. He was about to unwrap his first chocolate frog when the compartment door slid open.

Harry looked up and saw Hermione smiling at him.

“Hey,” she greeted with a sheepish wave

“Hey,” Harry replied smiling “Were have you been? I've been waiting for you and Ron”

Hermione sat down opposite of Harry.

“Sorry, Harry but Ron and I are prefects and we are doing prefect duties” she took one of the Pumpkin Pasties and ate some “Ron was worried that you didn't come to the Burrow this summer. We've been looking for you back at the platform but we didn't see you. I'd reckon we will meet you anyway on the train”

“So where's Ron?” Harry asked

“He hasn't done his duties yet. I'm done. I was going to double check this place then I saw you acting like a young boy with his candies” she teased

“Very funny,” Harry smirked “I bought a lot just incase you and Ron might come here and want som”

“Aw,” Hermione looked at Harry warmly “You are so sweet.” She took his hands and stroked it with her thumb.

Harry found it a bit awkward that Hermione is doing this but it wasn't the first time Hermione did these kinds of things. Hermione has grabbed Harry's arm, hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, comforted him, and held his hands often. He smiled seeing how Hermione cared for him throughout the years.

“What?” Hermione caught his smile

“Nothing,” Harry looked down “I just realized how - er - how - how very nice you look” he said quickly

“Oh,” Hermione blushed “thank you…” she said without looking at Harry.

There was complete silence for a few minutes then…

“Harry,” Hermione spoke “Have you ever thought of going into professional Quidditch?”

“No,” Harry replied “and since when do you speak Quidditch?” he smiled at her

“It's just that it's - er - you know, it's hard to talk to you these days that I'm afraid that almost every topic might get you to shout at someone… that's all” she bit her lower lip.

Harry laughed.

“Don't be scared, Hermione. I'm fine. I have finally got over my feelings on Sirius death…” he paused for a while and sighed “I'm going to be fine. Because of you, Ron and the Weasleys I was able to hold on to my sanity… thanks” he smiled again.

“You're welcome… I was very worried, you know? You seemed like you were about to kill yourself.” She stood up and sat beside Harry “At least you're okay already”

“You were always there for me just like I was there for you” Harry pointed out

“I know, I can't forget the countless times you would grab me from danger” Hermione stroked his arm.

“Well, I don't want my best friend to get hurt. You and Ron are very important to me. I wouldn't know what to do if you two died or something”

Harry didn't hear Hermione reply but she did hug his arm very tightly. Harry looked down and saw Hermione hugging his arm while looking out the window. Harry didn't know why but it was very relaxing and nice to see her with him, to see how close she was to him. It was very comforting.

Time seems to pass the two by. Ron hasn't arrived from prefect duties. Harry believed that Ron was done and he is now staying with Ginny wondering where he, Harry, went.

“I wonder what will happen this year” Hermione said resting her head on Harry's shoulder.

“I can expect good and bad things. It's always like that for me” Harry replied

“Like that for you? Look at me. I've never had a year were no one would tease or insult me” Hermione said

Harry turned to her. He noticed Hermione looking sad.

“Well, you seem to take most of them well”

“Well? Harry, for the past years I've always… get this feeling of depression when I get insulted by Malfoy and his friends.”

“Please don't cry” Harry teased.

“I'm not crying” Hermione replied “Although I used to when you and Ron were - you know…” she drifted off in the last part of the sentence.

“Were what?” Harry looked at her

“When you two were calling me names behind my back” Hermione assured him pulling herself away from him so she is seated cross-legged on the seat beside Harry

“Hermione, for the last time I wasn't in the name calling stuff”

“Oh yes you were. If I can recall correctly, I remember calling me a `nightmare'” Hermione gave Harry a serious look.

“That was Ron. I was just silent. I didn't have the heart to call someone names.”

“How about Malfoy?” Hermione asked

“Malfoy was being mean to me and everyone. You in the other hand you were just… just innocent. You were doing your job as a student so I really never had the heart to insult you or call you names”

Harry was relieved when Hermione's face didn't look serious anymore.

“To tell you the truth, I found you rather cute for a very bookish person” Harry said “Usually those types in my school wore glasses, had braces, freckles and look ugly”

“You really think so?” Hermione titled her head rather adorably

“Yeah,” Harry continued “Especially at the Yule Ball. I have to admit I nearly fainted. It was so unlike you to wear makeup, perfume and straight hair.”

“I kind of went a bit too far, didn't I?” Hermione winced a bit

“No, no. You were just right. Ron was shocked the moment he saw you looking like that”

“It was obvious he was jealous.” Hermione grinned “I didn't know why but I was a teensy bit happy that Ron was jealous. You know Ron and me, always bickering with each other then the next thing bam! Ron's weak in the knees” she giggled “Er - what about you, Harry?” Hermione slowly asked

“What about me?”

“Um - were you - er - you know… a bit -”

“Jealous? No.” Harry finished the sentence for her “But I thought you looked very beautiful”

“You know, apart from my family, you are the only one who has ever said that I'm, you know, pretty and stuff”

“Why? Didn't Viktor call you any of those?”

“No,” Hermione sighed “He was too shy.”

Another long silence came to them. Harry looked at Hermione who was rocking back and forth on her seat.

“Hey Harry…” Hermione swung her feet to the floor so she was seated properly “While we are sharing things about us can I ask some advice?”

Harry turned to her with a quizzical look.

“What kind of advice?”

Harry saw Hermione's cheeks turn to a light shade of magenta.

“Well - er - No… I can't tell you” she put her hand over her eyes embarrassingly

“C'mon Hermione” Harry urged scooting closer to her “You can tell me! I've asked you some advice when I had problems with Cho”

“Alright, alright!” Hermione scratched the back of her head “Just don't laugh, okay? And don't tell Ron or anyone”

“Sure, fire away” Harry took a pepper imp and ate it.

“Well…” Hermione started “I have this - er - I have this… thing”

“What kind of thing?”

“A thing,” Hermione continued “Just a small thing… very small”

“What is it?”

“If you keep on asking questions then I won't tell you” Hermione said sternly

“Sorry,” Harry apologized “Okay, continue.”

“Anyway, this small thing is kind of a little… kinda like a thing on someone”

“A crush?”

Hermione bit her lower lip and said softly.

“Yes,” she blushed “You know, lets not talk about this -”

“Hermione!” Harry grabbed her arm and shook it lightly “Please? I want to help”

Harry looked into her brown eyes with wanting. She sighed and smirked.

“Fine… I have this crush on someone… he's at Hogwarts, of course and also he's in Gryffindor”

“It's Ron, isn't?” Harry speculated

“No,” Hermione waved her hand impatiently “Let's say I have feelings for him and I'm very, very - er - very, very shy into admitting it to him because - because”

“Because what?”

“Because I'm afraid he might reject me… not because he thinks I'm a - you know - a nerd or anything. He's a friend so I'm alright with that… I just need some advice… I want to tell him how I feel just to let the feeling out, you know? I'm afraid, that's all.”

Harry held Hermione's shoulder.

“Just tell him,”

Hermione shot a look at him.

“B-But what if he doesn't accept… me?”

Harry scoffed.

“Who wouldn't accept you? You're smart, pretty and understanding”

Harry knew he was saying too much because Hermione looked nervous and very pink right now.

“Did I say something wrong?” Harry asked cautiously

“No, no… I'm fine” Hermione smiled warmly at him “Thanks”

“Your welcome, I hope my advice helps because I suck at doing that”

Hermione laughed and Harry kissed her on the forehead making her stop.

“I love it when you laugh” he said while Hermione turned redder than a Quaffle. It was in Harry's subconscious that he liked seeing Hermione blush, embarrassed or act nervous at times.

“Er - I think” Hermione stood up nearly stumbling on the threshold of the compartment “- I think I need to do those prefect duties again - um - thanks, Harry for the advice” then without a word, Hermione left the compartment.

- - -

“There you are!” Ron called as Harry jumped off the train “Where were you? I thought those Muggles didn't let you go to school”

“Don't worry, Ron. I'm fine.” Harry said as the voice of Hagrid saying “Firs' years `dis way!” was heard from afar.

“Hey Harry!” it was Ginny “Hey, have you seen Hermione, yet?”

“Yeah, I did” Harry nodded

“You did?” Ginny's eyes widened “Well, she told me to give you this” she took something out of her robes and gave it to Harry. It was a gray box.

“What is this?”

“Hermione hasn't given you a present for your birthday back at July so she told me to give this to you just incase you went to the Burrow”

Harry opened the box and saw a very, very surprising gift.

“Wow,” Harry gasped

It was a golden chain necklace that looked long enough to fit his neck and a small snitch hung at the lace with silver wings.

“I haven't seen it yet” Ginny said “But Hermione hopped you would like it”

“I love it” Harry closed it and put it in his robes “But why would she get me this expensive? This could've cost her a fortune!”

This time, Ron answered.

“Well, you know how Percy fell in love with Penelope Clearwater that he bought her that crystal duck despite the price”

Harry looked at Ron with revelation.

“What do you mean?” Harry asked urgently “Were you comparing Percy's situation with this?” he took out the box and showed it to Ron.

“Of course if you put it that way -” Ron stopped talking and closed his mouth with his hand. Harry turned to Ginny who looked a bit gingerly. After looking at both of there anxious faces, the thought hit Harry's head like Bludger in the head.

“Are you saying Hermione bought this for me because she is in -”

“No!” Ron shouted pointing at Harry alarmingly “I didn't mean that! Don't say it! It's not true!” he started hopping madly “I didn't say anything… no, no, no, no, no, no!”

Ron started rubbing his temples.

“Keep rubbing,” Ginny said nastily “That will turn back time”

Harry shook his head vigorously.

“So you are saying… Hermione likes me?”

“Yes,” Ron and Ginny said in unison

Harry paused. Hermione liked him. What a shocker. No wonder she was asking him advice. She wanted to know how he would react to the whole thing. He just gave Hermione a way to his heart. Wait, why is being negative about this? This is Hermione. The person Harry complemented as pretty, smart and understandable! Did he say that just to be polite or there was more to it? This information reminded the time when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley said that Harry can't go to Hogwarts knowing that Sirius Black was after him back in his third year.

“Harry?” said Ginny

Harry looked at the red-headed girl.

“How long has she been - you know?”

“Since fifth year” Ron answered “She told us the truth by owl two months ago but Ginny knew like a long time ago.”

“What are you going to do?” Ginny asked.

“I have to talk to her of course!” Harry said “She's my best friend. Not that I don't want her to be my girlfriend. It's just that… It's Hermione, hello?”

“So?” Ginny raised her hands to shoulder level “What's the point?”

“The point is that Hermione is my best friend. You see, best friends are not meant for each other!”

“C'mon Harry” Ron patted his back “I had a crush on her once. It's normal. Look, you know each other so much already you don't need any weird and awkward conversations!”

“Just give her a chance, Harry” Ginny pleaded

Harry looked at Ron's and Ginny's faces. Were they serious? Harry thought about it. What good will it do? No, the question is: What bad will it do for him and her? Nothing. Nothing will happen… Harry thought. He knew already a lot about Hermione. Ron had a point of awkward conversations. Hermione was pretty in a way and for the first time in his life he realized how attractive she looked when she smiled and laughed.

“Well?”

Harry woke from his reverie and turned to Ginny and Ron who were smirking.

“Would you give her a chance?” Ginny asked again

Harry sighed deeply and nodded.

“Really?” Ron said “That's great! You have to tell her tonight, though.”

“Why?” Harry said

“Because… you must!” Ginny said as if this was the most obvious thing “You have to tell her as soon as possible”

“Hey! Hurry up you guys!”

Harry, Ron and Ginny looked up to see Hermione calling them with her hands on her hips. They noticed the traffic they've been causing that they started leaving.

“What took you?” Hermione said

“We were talking some stuff” Ginny answered as they walked down the path were the carriages carried by Thestrals were.

“You ride with Hermione alone” Ron whispered in Harry's ear

Harry nodded. This was it. A carriage stopped by and the doors opened. Ginny and Ron jumped in and before Hermione could get in, Ginny closed the door shouting “Carriage is full!” as they were dragged towards the castle.

“What the -?” Hermione said quizzically but shrugged as the next one came.

Harry twiddled his thumb as Hermione jumped in the carriage. Harry followed, closed the door and they were on the move.

There was pure silence between the two… Harry knew this was a great time to tell so without hesitating and using up his Gryffindor strength, he said.

“Hermione,”

Hermione turned to Harry and raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah?”

“I have something really, really important to tell you” he finally said without hesitation.

“What is it?” Hermione asked

“I think…” he hesitated a bit “I think -”

“Think what?” Hermione said

“I think I know who you have a crush on” Harry said briskly

Hermione looked at him alarmingly

“Who?” she asked

“Er - Neville” he lied “You like Neville, do you?”

Harry knew it wasn't Neville because Hermione sighed. Was it a sigh of relief?

“Yes, Harry” Hermione said. Harry knew she was lying “How did you know that?”

“Wait,” Harry cut her off “I was lying… I don't think it's Neville”

“Then who is it to you?” Hermione winced

Harry looked in to her chocolate brown eyes. For the first time ever in his life he knew it in an instant he wanted to look into them forever. Ron and Ginny were right, after all. Harry knew Hermione very well and seeing her eyes makes him think… she's perfect.

Answering Hermione's question, Harry took out the box and showed her the necklace.

“Er - I think this gift gave it away” Harry bit his lower lip.

Hermione fell silent and she started blushing furiously. Yes, it was confirmed. Hermione is indeed in love with Harry.

Thus the long trip to Hogwarts began. Harry didn't know what would happen in the future. He was unknown of the fact that he and Hermione will be having their first date in Hogsmeade at Halloween, getting kisses from Hermione during free time, and the like. He didn't know that… but by the looks of things that are happening in the present… they could come true.

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